Top US spy says Ukraine becoming authoritarian

The top U.S. intelligence official is warning that democracy is under siege in Ukraine.

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper says that Ukraine is moving toward authoritarian rule under President Viktor Yanukovych (yah-noo-KOH'-vich).

Clapper was outlining threats to the United States in annual testimony before Congress.

He cited Ukraine's crackdown on opposition, particularly the prosecution of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko (YOOL'-yah tee-moh-SHEN'-koh). Clapper called the charges against Tymoshenko politically motivated.

He said Yanukovych's government was also manipulating election laws ahead of a parliamentary election in October.